SHORT TAKES

Dutee is dropped

New Delhi: Athletics Federation of India, on Tuesday, pruned the number of track and field participants for the upcoming Commonwealth Games from the original 41 to 32, leaving out young sprinter Dutee Chand at the last minute. Dutee reportedly underwent a gender test recently in Bangalore. Renjith Maheswary also got the axe on the ground of unsatisfactory performance.

Engel point

New Delhi: India table tennis coach Peter Engel says he expects three medals from his wards at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, two less than the record five the squad managed at home in Delhi four years ago.

Farah doubtful

London: Double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah may not be fit enough to take part in the Commonwealth Games which begin in Glasgow later this month, he said on Monday. Farah was admitted to hospital in the United States with abdominal pains at the start of the month and has had further tests in the UK.

Shooting

New Delhi: Ronjan Sodhi yet again missed out on a berth in the Indian shooting squad for the ISSF World Championships. Gagan Narang also failed to make the air rifle squad, to be spearheaded by Abhinav Bindra. The tournament assumes significance as 64 quota places for the 2016 Rio Olympics will be up for grabs.

Damani shines

Calcutta: Krishna Damani holed out in one stroke at the second hole (150 yards) at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club on July 11, according to a media release.

Stamp tribute

Berlin: Germany will this week issue a World Cup victory postage stamp, five million of which were printed before the final was even held, officials said.

The 60-cent stamp will go on sale Thursday after the first commemorative copies are presented to the coach, players and team staff.

Louis arrival

London: Louis van Gaal will arrive for his new job at Manchester United on Wednesday on a wave of expectation following the World Cup finals in Brazil where his reputation was greatly enhanced after he coached Netherlands to a third place finish.

United announced the biggest kit deal in sporting history Monday. The deal, which takes effect from the 2015-16 season, will be worth at least £750 million.

Calcutta: Atletico de Kolkata assistant coach Jose Ramirez Barreto will represent the city-based Indian Super League franchise in the auction for the Indian players on July 22 in Mumbai.

“Barreto has been entrusted with the responsibility of selecting the Indian players since he has a fair knowledge about the capabilities of the Indians,” Utsav Parekh, one of the co-owners, said. He also informed that his son Saharsh will be the sole representative from the owners side.

Schools’ meet

Calcutta: Frank Anthony Public School whipped St Paul’s 10-0, on Tuesday at the Keventer Cup, an inter-school soccer meet, organised by the Debanjan Sen Foundation.